Athens of the North

by Mark Hannah

A critically acclaimed Scottish play celebrating the people, voices and stories of Edinburgh – and the city that exists beyond the tourist postcards.

Edinburgh is a city known around the world for its festivals, historic streets and cultural heritage. But what about the people who call it home?

In Athens of the North, Edinburgh-born playwright and performer Mark Hannah gives voice to an Edinburgh often overlooked: the working-class communities, everyday lives and personal histories that have shaped the city across generations.

Told through three interconnected monologues, the play follows Alan, a father racing to reach his daughter’s school concert; Liam, a young Englishman who arrives in Edinburgh chasing a holiday romance; and Maureen, an elderly Leith woman whose memories carry her through the streets of a city she barely recognises.

Their stories unfold across a single November day, revealing the extraordinary human connections hidden within ordinary moments. Moving between sharp humour and moments of extraordinary tenderness, Hannah explores what it means to belong somewhere, to remember it and to watch it change.

A celebration of Scottish voices and storytelling

Written in the rhythms and language of its characters, Athens of the North draws on Scotland’s rich tradition of working-class theatre and storytelling.

As Edinburgh faces the pressures of tourism, gentrification and changing communities, Hannah’s play asks an important question: who gets to tell the story of a city?

This is an Edinburgh of bus journeys, football loyalties, familiar streets and lives that rarely feature in the city’s official history. Through these voices, Hannah creates a lasting theatrical portrait of the place he calls home.

First performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2024, Athens of the North returned to the Fringe in 2025 at the Scottish Storytelling Centre. This published edition includes an introduction by acclaimed Scottish playwright Kieran Hurley, who places the work within a wider tradition of Scottish theatre and recognises its importance in preserving the voices of local communities.

“Punchily written and powerfully performed, these portraits hold the audience spellbound.”
—The Guardian

“Hannah thus explores the complexities and beauty of human nature, using his magic ability to suddenly switch from buoyant banter to raw, dark emotion. He lucidly communicates a powerful message about one’s intertwined connection to one’s past, present, and future in this stunning poetic tribute to the Athens of the North.”
—Corr Blimey

“a heartfelt tribute to “The Toon””
—Broadway World
★★★★

For actors, students and theatre companies

Written as a solo show comprising three distinct character monologues, Athens of the North offers rich material for actors exploring characterisation, storytelling and the rhythms of spoken language.

The play can be performed by one actor or shared between up to three performers, with minimal staging requirements. Its flexibility makes it particularly appealing to small theatre companies, drama students and performers seeking contemporary audition or showcase material.

Themes include belonging, memory, family relationships, grief, identity and the changing character of urban communities.

Cast: 1–3 actors

Running time: approximately 60 minutes

Setting: Contemporary Edinburgh

Suitable for: Professional and amateur theatre, drama study, contemporary monologue work

Performance rights enquiries: in**@**************et.com

Part of Salamander Street’s collection of contemporary Scottish plays, bringing important new voices and distinctive stories from Scotland to readers, performers and theatre students worldwide.

Production stills from Athens of the North by Elliot Hetherton